Chargers news roundup: Rashawn Slater update, Harbaugh fires back, Week 4 awards

Is it April yet? The LA Chargers are 0-4 through the unofficial first quarter of the 2026 season and already have their fans dreaming of the 2027 NFL Draft. At least there's a general wide receiver prospect potentially waiting for the Bolts.

All of our hopes and dreams may be crushed, but the news doesn't stop. And for a Chargers team that can't get anything right, bad news seems to just snowball out of control. This week's Bolt Beat bulletin isn't a particularly enjoyable one.

1. The two-minute warning
2. Week 4 Chargers superlatives
3. Must-see Chargers quotes
4. This day in Chargers history

The two-minute warning

Your quick-hitting mid-week briefing on relevant Chargers news, injuries, and more.

Rashawn Slater is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain

The Chargers lost both of their starting tackles to injury in Week 4 and the Rashawn Slater injury was more concerning in the moment. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that it's believed Slater suffered a high-ankle sprain, which is not the news Chargers fans wanted to hear.

It's not the worst injury imaginable, but it's one that will knock Slater out for weeks if the diagnosis is correct. Joe Alt suffered a high-ankle sprain last season and missed three games. In his second game back, Alt aggravated the injury and was knocked out for the rest of the season.

With a 0-4 record, the Chargers are in no position to rush Slater back.

Chargers sign OT Daniel Brunskill to practice squad, release DL Jordan Jefferson

The Chargers added more offensive line reinforcements to the practice squad on Tuesday in veteran tackle Daniel Brunskill. Brunskill has been in the NFL since 2019 and has ample experience in Mike McDaniel's offensive system. Brunskill spent several season in San Francisco and spent last season with the Miami Dolphins.

Don't be surprised if Brunskill is elevated from the practice squad in Week 5 given the injuries to the offensive line.

Chargers open the practice windows for Branson Taylor and Scott Matlock

More offensive line reinforcements are on the way, with Branson Taylor's practice window opening alongside Scott Matlock. Taylor was in the running for the left guard job in training camp, so it will be interesting to see how the Chargers handle his return.

Matlock's return will be even more interesting. Alec Ingold has replaced Matlock as the team's fullback, giving the two-way player a tougher path to playing time on the Bolts.

Week 4 Chargers superlatives

Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu were the two best players on the field for the Chargers against the Seahawks. Tuipulotu took home the better overall Pro Football Focus grade because of the interception he hauled in on the first play of the game, but Mack was arguably more impactful throughout.

And that's not to say Tuipulotu wasn't impactful, as he was an obvious difference-maker. It's just remarkable that Mack continues to play at an elite level at this stage of his career. With the season unwinding, don't be shocked if the Chargers shop Mack at the deadline.

Justin Eboigbe recorded the lowest PFF grade and had one of the worst penalties of all time against Sam Darnold, but it's Derius Davis who takes home dud of the week. Davis is on this roster for one reason and one reason only: to return kicks. So what does he do? Muffs a punt and hands the Seahawks seven free points.

And that's why defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary is the unsung hero of the game. It doesn't look good when the other team scores 30 points but the defense was put in some impossible positions because of gaffes by the offense and special teams. When the defense needed a stop it got a stop, with O'Leary particularly dialing up unique pressure packages in key spots.

He is not close to recapturing the magic Jesse Minter had the last two seasons, but the defense played better than the final score indicates. Seattle only had two drives over 55 yards and finished with just 286 total yards of offense.

Must-see Chargers quotes

Jim Harbaugh provided two pretty noteworthy quotes following the Chargers' loss to the Seahawks. The first was regarding Mike McDaniel's job security. After a brief pause during which Harbaugh completely disregarded the question, the head coach then relayed that McDaniel's job is not in jeopardy.

The other noteworthy response from Harbaugh was confrontational. Harbaugh previously applauded Justin Herbert for his warrior spirit against the Seahawks. This prompted ESPN's Kris Rhim to ask about the elephant in the room: why does Herbert still need to play hero ball this deep in Harbaugh's tenure?

Harbaugh didn't like the question.

Accountability is big in the NFL and you can't expect every question to be sunshine and rainbows when your team is 0-4. Harbaugh sounds way too much like Brandon Staley in this clip.

This day in Chargers history

October 7, 2012: Drew Brees breaks Johnny Unitas' record against the Chargers

In just his second game against his former team, and the first one that was played in the United States since the first matchup was in London, Drew Brees broke a record held by another all-time great who is a forgotten-about former Charger.

Brees and the New Orleans Saints defeated the Chargers 31-24 behind 370 passing yards and four touchdowns from Brees. Philip Rivers was no slouch either with 354 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Brees recorded a touchdown in his 48th consecutive game, breaking a 52-year-old record held by Unitas. Brees extended the streak to 54 games and still holds the record to this day. Tom Brady got the closest with 52 consecutive games with a touchdown.

Jared Goff has the longest active streak but still has a ways to go. Goff has thrown a touchdown pass in 27 consecutive games.

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